Airservices opens new aviation fire fighting training facility

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, The Hon Anthony Albanese and Airservices Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Staib have officially opened a new fire training facility at Melbourne Airport today.

The Learning Academy Hot Fire Training Ground (LAHFTG) is part of Airservices $140 million investment over the next five years to modernise Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facilities that also includes new fire vehicles and refurbishment of fire stations.

The new training facility will support ARFF training capabilities and equip fire fighters with the competencies required to deal with large, complex airframes.

Airservices Executive General Manager ARFF, Michelle Bennetts said, “We provide ARFF services at 21 of Australia’s busiest airports and are one of the world’s largest providers of aviation rescue and fire fighting services.

“Our more than 740 operational and support personnel are highly trained and experienced, allowing us to rapidly respond to a broad range of airport emergencies. This new training facility is part of Airservices commitment to initial and ongoing training through its Melbourne-based Learning Academy,” Ms Bennetts said.

The centrepiece of the new training ground is a full-sized mock-up aircraft fuselage replicating sections from the Airbus A380 and Boeing 767.

“This project also demonstrates the strong co-operation between Airservices and Melbourne Airport, and reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure around the airport,” Ms Bennetts said.

Badge Constructions completed the civil works on the site while the aircraft simulator and associated fire control and safety systems were installed by Dräeger Safety Pacific.

Airservices has also put in place stringent environmental control systems in order to minimise the impact of the training activity on the surrounding environment.